Fah Thai Magazine July/August 2017

OVERTURES
ARTS & CULTURAL MATTERS
Words: Sarita Urupongsa
The Combat
and the Glory
Photos courtesy of Tourism Authority of Thailand
For as long as can be
remembered, “Muay
Thai” or Thai Boxing
proudly belongs to the
cultural heritage of Thai
people. In the old days,
the grand size of the
Kingdom of Thailand
shared borders next to
numerous countries,
resulting in constant
territorial battles.
Almost every Thai man
then was trained in
using ancient weapons
such as a sabre, a wood
staff, sword, halberd or a
lance. Combine that with
the skills of Muay Thai,
whose combat tactics
require the use of all
limbs – both hands, feet,
elbows and knees and
invincibility can happen.
These days, Muay
Thai evolved from
ancient boxing styles
whose variations derived
through local expertise.
There’s Muay Ta Sao in
the North, Muay Korat in
the Northeast and Muay
Chaiya in the South, for
example. As time passed,
Muay Thai became a
sport and competition
with an entertainment
purpose. Classification
is indicated by a boxer’s
weight, which is similar
to international boxing
standards.
The main highlight
before a Muay Thai
match begins with
the unique beauty of
“Wai Khru” a ritual
performed as a means
to show respect to the
teaching masters. Both
competing boxers would
prostrate 3 times to show
their gratitude towards
their parents, masters
and sacred beings.
While performing the
ritual, the boxers would
wear a “Mongkol” or a
headband made of holy
threads. Wearing the
Mongkol is considered
a sacred act as masters
performed their own
blessing ceremony
for the headband’s
auspiciousness.
The combat moves
and self-protection
prowess of Muay Thai
has fascinated many
people as it reflects an
identity that’s one of
a kind, whose punches
and moves differ from
that of international
boxing. Muay Thai is
unique not only for its
use of fists, but also of
feet, knees and elbows.
Furthermore, the style
comes with many
tactical moves such as
a spiral punch and knee
strike – combat moves
which have caught
keen interest around
the world.
As the national
sport rose to global
proportions, the Thai
government introduced
the “Thai Fight”
competition, to search
for the King of Muay
Thai in 2010. The project
aimed at bringing
international recognition
to the importance of
Muay Thai and Thailand’s
role as the home of
this combat skill. A
combination of Muay
Thai and entertainment
showcases the Thai
Fight, an international
sports event attracting
Thai and foreign boxers
as well as gaining an
audience that continues
to grow. The competition
boasts authentic Muay
Thai skills and opens
up the opportunity
for fighters from
everywhere in the world
to participate in this
traditional combat event.
Recognising
the value of Muay
Thai as a sport in
the international
community, the United
Nations signed the MOA
in cooperation with the
World Muaythai Council
and the International
Federation of Muaythai
Amateur. Muay Thai is
now on its way to be
included as one of the
sports in the
Olympic Games.
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